Basket rack and conveyor mechanism therefor



Oct. 3, 1961 M, R, WILLIAMS 3,002,468

BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed June 18, 1958 3Sheets-Sheet 1 mvErgT R; Marion R. M l/l Mw/M ATTORNEYS- Oct. 3, 1961 M.R. WILLIAMS 3,002,468

BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed June 18, 1958 .3Sheets-Sheet 2 gigo o 28 /4 /3 m 80 26 if 7 I8 /5 .24 i a] 46 25 I 59 76INVEIDIT'OR. Marlon R. Williams.

A T'TORNEVS.

Oct. 3, 1961 M. R. WILLIAMS BASKET RACK AND CONVEYOR MECHANISM THEREFORFiled June 18, 1958 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR. Marion R. WillzczmsATTORNEYS- Unite States Patent 2 Claims. (Cl. 104-121) This inventionrelates to trolley type conveyors, and more particularly to conveyors orracks having baskets mounted thereon for use in laundries wherein thegarments and clothing are wrapped in bundles or packages after washingand cleaning for storage before dispensing to the customers.

The principal object of the present invention is, therefore, to providea basket type conveyor in which garments are placed after washing andironing and packaging so that the clothing and garments may be moved onthe conveyor to the operator for easy access to the garments fordispensing the same to the owner thereof.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a rack mounted onspaced standards or posts of the type illustrated in my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, now abandoned,including the I-beam construction for forming endless trackways andhaving an endless chain run by the sprockets and certain links of thechain having means for receiving the threaded shanks of hook members; toprovide baskets, racks or the like having spaced shelves therein adaptedto be carried by the hook members, the baskets being adapted forretaining the packaged garments therein after wrapping and beingretained in the basket until dispensed to the customer; to provide atrack member spaced from the upper trackways; to provide means on thetrack member for levelling the same with respect to the support for therack and to adjust the lower trackway with respect to the uppertrackway; to provide the same spacing between the trackways throughoutthe circumference thereof; to provide rollers on the lower edge of thebasket for engaging the lower trackway to guide the same in alignmentwith the upper rollers engaging the upper trackway; to provide means forsuspending the basket at an inclined angle so that the platforms orshelves in the basket will be inclined from the front portion to therear to retain the packages therein during rotation of the rackmechanism; to provide means on the bottom of the baskets for engagingthe inside of the lower track member to retain and guide the samethereon; to provide the lower roller members or guide means for thetrackway having the same radius as the upper rollers engaging thetrackways on the I-beam of the upper portion of the apparatus so thatthe baskets will move around the curved ends of the apparatus in amanner to avoid contact with each other and provide for easy operationthereof; to provide the baskets with a back and side members and havingthe shelves at the front of the side members slightly higher than at theback thereof so as to give greater angle to the basket shelves to retainthe packages therein; and to provide control mechanism for movement ofthe baskets about the rack and stopping them at the desired location.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a'conveyor of thischaracter which utilizes a small amount of space in a cleaning orlaundry plant; to provide mechanism for movement of a certain basket tothe operator of the counter for dispensing the garments to the owner; toprovide a numbering system on the baskets providing mechanism whereby agarment basket of a certain numher at any position on the rack may bebrought to the operators station by setting the control mechanism tothat number to move the basket to the operators station;

and to provide a device of this character, simple and economical tomanufacture and eflicient in operatlon.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I haveprovided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of the conveyor mechanism, taken ona line 1-1, FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the conveyor mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the basket with packages ofgarments placed therein.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the upper trackway andthe mounting of the basket thereon and the mounting of the lower end ofthe basket on the lower trackway.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view through the basket, taken on a line5-5, FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the bundle carryingcontainer or basket.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the connection of thechain with the basket, taken on a line 7-7, FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross sectional view particularly illustrating theconnection of the lower end of the basket with the lower track, taken ona line 8-8, FIG. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a conveyor embodying the features of my invention mountedupon posts or standards 2 and 3 having bases 4 and 5. The posts areprovided at their top with slidable collars 6 and 7 held in place by setscrews 8 and 0 for adjustment of the collars on the posts. Mounted uponthe collars are cross arms 10 having their respective ends extendingoutwardly from the posts.

The structure includes a framework as indicated at 11 and 12 (FIG. 1)and is substantially the same as illustrated in my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, for mounting anendless track 13 of l-beam construction formed in suitable sections andsecured together by bolts or the like (not shown). It is obvious that asmany sections may be utilized as desired for the size of the conveyordesired in the particular establishment. The outer sections of the railor track are curved as illustrated in FIG. 2, making an endlesstrackway. The I-beam construction is provided with an upper flange 14and a lower flange 15 on either side of the web portion 16 of theI-beam, the lower flanges providing trackways 17 and 18 for trolleysgenerally indicated at '19 (PEG. 4).

Sprockets 20 and 21 are mounted on vertical shafts 22 and 23 inhorizontal position over which is adapted to run an endiess chain 24.The mechanism includes a chain tightening apparatus also as illustratedin my copending application, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1 957.The conveyor chain 24 is composed of a plurality of links 25, andcertain of said links are provided with upstanding brackets 25 to whichare attached the arms 27 and 28 of the trolley, to which arms rollers 29and 30 are attached for engaging the trackways 17 and 13 of the rail13.v The tnolleys are spaced apart on the links approximately thedistance of the width of the baskets 31, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thelinks of chain carrying the trolleys are also provided on their loweredges with a depending boss 32 having a cutaway portion 33 to conservematerial and make a lighter construction. The boss 32 is internallythreaded for receiving a threaded bolt 34 which may be locked in placein the boss by lock nut 35.

The basket 31 is shown as comprising spaced wires for the back 36, sides37 and bottom 38. The top is also composed of wires or rods or the likeas indicated at 39, and has an outer rail 40 and an inner spaced rail 41and cross members as indicated at 42. The bolt 34 has. a head 43 3 andextends between the rods and 41 of the top and includes washers 44 and45 and a lock nut 46 for retaining the bolt in place on the top of thebasket and for adjustinent thereon to align the trolleys, as latershown.

The bottom 38 of the basket is of similar construction as the top 39 andhas a cross member 47 extending over the wire structure of said bottom.Suitably connected at 48 to the cross member 47 is a bracket 49extending across the bottom 33 on the lower side thereof and inalignment with the member 47. The bracket 49 has depending sides 5!) oneach end thereof between which are mounted rollers 51 onshafts 52. Thelower ends of the depending sides are turned laterally horizontally asindicated at 53 and 54 and mounted thereon by bolts or the like 55 and56 are rollers 57 and 58', the rollers 58 being mounted slightly higherthan the roller 57. 1 A'lower trackway 60 is provided for the conveyorwhich consists of a vertical rail 61 adapted to be engaged by rollers51, 57 and'SS, as shown in FIG. 8. The lower trackway 60 may also bemade in sections and fastened by suitablemeans (not shown) and the endsthereof being curved as indicated at62 and 63 (FIG. 2). Thecircumference of the lower trackway 60 is larger than the upper trackwayor rail 13, also for a purpose later described. The lower trackway isconnected by a plurality of cross arms 64 and 65 near the outer endsthereof and a plurality of crossarms nearer the center thereof asindicated at 66. Asmany cross arms as desired may be utilized, dependingupon the length of the conveyor. The cross arms 66 are provided withopenings 67 through which the posts 2 and 3 are adapted to extend inorder to hold the lower trackway in place with respect to the conveyorand prevent lateral or longitudinal movement thereof.

A motor 68 is mounted upon the frame ill and has the belt and pulleyconnection with the sprockets as illustrated f in my co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 674,206, filed July 25, 1957, for operating themechanism. The motor is operated by electric current through conduit 69connected to a source of supply (not shown) and through a control box'70.

The rollers 29 and 3t), 51 and 57 and 58 are made of plastic or asimilar material having a bearing surface which requires no oil for theshaft extending therethrough and which reduces the noise occasioned bymetal rollers. The

rollers are of light weight, durable structure and are very suitable forthis purpose.

It will be noted that the trolleys are fastened to the top of thebaskets near the rear edges thereof and the lower trackway is of largercircumference and the rollers on the bottom thereof are substantially atthe center of the baskets so that the rollers are offset in verticalrelation to the other (FIG. 4). The principal reason for the largercircumference of the lower rail is by such mounting the basket will betilted with the top inclined inwardly so that the bundles or packages 71not fall out of the on the conveyor.

In operation of a conveyor constructed and assembled as described, theupper trackway or rail 13 is levelled with respect to the support orfloor 73 upon which the couveyor is mounted by adjustment of the sleeves6 and 7 through manipulation of the screws 8 and 9. When the upper trackis levelled, then the lower track or rail $1 is adjusted so that it willbe in parallel alignment with the upper rail or so that it will be theexact distance from the upper rail throughout its circumference. Thisadjustment is accomplished by belts or the like 7 engaging in thread."ed openings in the cross members 64 and 65. As many bolts may beutilized as desired so as to insure the proper support for the lowerrail, and the cross member 66 may also be provided with adjusting boltsif this is found necessary. by turning of the bolts in the threadedopenings in the cross members, the lower rail may be raised and loweredto align the same parallel with the upper rail. The garment after it ispackaged, as indicated at 71, is

open front of the basket during rotation (FIG. 3) on shelves 72 willplaced in the basket 31 on whatever shelf may be desired and theoperator will have a number for such package and the customers name isalso placed on the bundle or package as indicated at 75. The customer,or owner of the garments, has a number corresponding to the number onthe bundle or package. The customer presents his number and the controlmechanism 76 is energized to rotate the baskets on the conveyor untilthe basket containing his package reaches the dispensing station so thatthe operator may take the package out of the basket and deliver it tothe customer.

The radius of the rollers at the bottom of the basket which engage thelower track may be the same as the rollers on the trolleys on the uppertrackway. The baskets hang from the trolleys in such manner that theside edges are in a substantially straight down position and equallyspaced from each other so that they will move around the curved ends ofthe track in the same relation and will not come in contact with thenext adjacent basket. The adjustment of the rollers may be made on theupper ends or top of the basket by movement of the bolt with respect tothe wire member so that they will always be in substantial alignmentvertically with the rollers on the lower tracks when viewed from thefront of the basket as shown in FIG. 3. The adjustment of the lowertrack with respect to the upper one is important so that the rollers 56and 57 will engage on each side of the rail 61 to prevent the rollersfrom moving away from the rail should the track become uneven. Therollers are offset tot-ake care of some play should the tracks becomeslightly out of line during operation, and one of the lock nuts 35 onbolts 34 may be slightly loosened as at 76, FIG. 3. to allow some playin the bolt connection to the chain when the basket travels around theconveyor.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that provided improved structurefor baskets for conveyor mechanism whereby the baskets may be rotated ona conveyor mechanism in an etficient manner and so that the baskets willmove around the ends of the track without contact with each other andwhereby the packaged garments may be dispensed with ease from thebaskets.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a conveyor mechanism having upper and lower rails and a pluralityof baskets each having compartments therein and a bottom, top, back sideand open front for storing and dispensing articles therefrom, said lowerrail being of larger circumference than the upper rail and having aplane upper surface and plane vertical side walls, means mounting saidbaskets for movement on said rails, said means including spaced trolleyson an endless chain engaging the upper rail, means on said trolleysengaging the top of said basket near the back side thereof in adjustedspaced relation for suspending said baskets from said trolleys in spacedrelation to each other, an elongated bracket secured underneath thebottom of said baskets and extending longitudinally of said bottom rail,said bracket having depending spaced arms at each end thereof and havingtheir lower ends turned laterally outwardly, rollers mounted betweensaid spaced arms for engaging the top plane surface of the lower rail tocarry a part of the load of said baskets, and rollers secured to thelaterally turned portions of said arms for engaging each side of saidlower rail to maintain the first named roller on said rail whereby saidbaskets will move around said rails with the tops thereof inclinedinwardly toward the conveyor to prevent the articles from falling fromthe open front.

2. In a conveyor mechanism having upper and lower rails and a pluralityof baskets each having compartments therein and a bottom, top, back sideand open front for storing and dispensing articles therefrom, said lowerrail being of larger circumference than the upper rail and having aplane upper surface and plane inner and outer vertical side walls; meansmounting said baskets I have 4 i v v I.

for movement on said rails, said means including spaced trolleys on anendless chain engaging the upper rail, means on said trolleys engagingthe top of said basket near the back side thereof in adjusted spacedrelation tor suspending said baskets from said trolleys in spacedrelation to each other, an elongated bracket secured underneath thebottom of said baskets at substantially the center thereof and extendinglongitudinally of said bottom rail, said bracket having depending spacedarms at each end thereof and having their lower ends turned laterallyoutwardly, rollers mounted between said spaced arms for engaging the topplane surface of the lower rail to carry a part of the load of saidbaskets, and rollers secured to the later-ally turned portions of saidarms for engaging each side of said lower rail to maintain the firstnamed roller on said rail, the roller on the outer plane surface of thelower rail being located at a lower point than the roller on the innerplane surface whereby said baskets will move around said rails with thetops thereof inclined inwardly toward the conveyor to prevent thearticles from falling from the open iront.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS AllenAug. 29, Winner May 5, Ayers et al Mar. 13, Cook Feb. 12, Ellberg Ian.4, Maynes June 26, Skar et a1. May 26, Bell Feb. 23, Francis Sept. 13,Bacon May 21, Maynes Apr. 1, Griffin et a1 Nov. 20, Stieve Mar. 13,Freeman Sept. 28, Byrne Jan. 22, Weiss Aug. 11,

